Chain and attachment



Feb. 8, 1944.

A. w. LEMMoN l CHAIN AND ATTACHMENT Filed oct. 2a, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet.`1

/NVENTORJ ALEXIS W. LEMMON,

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 28,- 1942 ....N, www@ IM NE. EL vw. ,NSM Z LFeb. 8, 1944` A, w. I EMMoN CHAIN AND ATTACHMENT Filed oet. 2a,

1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVE/fv'o ALEXIS LEMMON,

BY dal m- HTT'v.

Patented Feb. 8, 19fllill UNITED PATENT OFFICE 'CHAIN AND ATTAGHMENT!Alexis W. Lemmon, Il .llller Arlington, Ohio, as-

signor to :The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of 'OhioApplication `ctober 52.8, 1942, Serial No. V463,629

' ,.12 Claims.

This invention `relates to a fchain and attachment or hitch vbyVwhichrthe 'chain is connected to an object to be moved,`oneillustrationbeing a lplatform elevator. 1

An object of the invention is -to provide an improved and simplified`connection .between Ya chain andan object vto'be ymoved .sothatthelobject may be moved under-power vwith the line of force transmittingvfrom the chain to the Imoved object being along the normal draitlineofthe chain, thus eliminating forces tending to twist said chain.

A further object `of the invention is to provide avery simple-ball andsocket connectionby which a drive chain is vconnected totheballlandforces are transmitted fromthe drive chainfto theisock etalong the normal line of driveof said chain.

A further object of the invention is Ito provide an attachment for adrive chain which consists of a modiiied ball forming one link of thechain.

Still another object of the invention vis to provide an improved balland socket. connection or hitch which can be readily lattachedfwhen boththe ball and socket are completelyassem'bled, and when attached rwillbeheld in properrelative posi tions.

Still another object of the inventionis tofprovide an improvedgenerallyU-shaped-chain link with-one or more universal bearing surfaces.

Other objects of the invention will appeary here..- inafter, the novelfeatures and'combinat'ons being set forth in the appended claims y' Inthe accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view with parts cutaway show.- ing a shuttle which isattached totheplatform or deck of an elevatorandis capable -of movementparallel with the plane thereof, together with-an elevating .chain and.universal hitch .connecting thechain and the shuttle; f

Fig. 2 is a side View of the shuttleand-.chain shown in Fig. 1 -withparts brokeniaway;

Fig. 3 is a front View ofthe shuttle andchain showing also theassociated :rails .connected Yto the elevator platform;

Fig. 4 isa plan View of a length of :thecha-in showing the ballV:attachment forming'oneo-link thereof;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of `.the ball chain link or partof the attachmentor'hitch;

Fig, 6 is a sectional view-of'thehitch'or ball and socket `joint showingthemethodrof :assembly of the ball and socket; -and v Fig. 'l is anend'viewofthesocket orihitch.

The invention Aherein disclosed is :designed `particularly for use inconnection .wtnthe elevator disclosed in complete detail in theapplication Vof Charles E. Ellis, Serial No. 457,691), ledxSeptember 9,v1%2, entitled ,Elev-ator but .itis tolgbe understood that this.applicationis'not necessarily limited to this device .or eventoelevators gem erally. 'Y 1 In the instant application only a'singlechain and shuttle car of the elevator is illustrated vvin detail'together with the hitch or connection .by which they areinterconnected.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the draw-ings and to thestructure ofthe shuttle, the shuttle S has a frame designated as a wholeby '64, which is of bolted and welded construction. This frame includesvertical wall or web portions 65, 66, 61, 68, B9, 7U, 1l and 12; upperhorizontal web or-body portions N, `l5, 'l5 and'lf'l; and lowerhorizontal web or body portions 18, 19," and '83.

A shaft 8| is journaled .in the frame, withfbearingsat 82 and 8c3. Oneend of the shaft is -provided with a roller 85 which rolls on a vrail R2carried by the elevator platform. Spaced slightly froxnroller 85 is awasher 86 =which is welded tovshaft 8| and which limits endplay of theshaft. The opposite end of the shaft is enlarged-atti. and 'recessed toreceive stem 88 of chain 'hitch or socket H. In assembly, the recessed'enlargement-81 may be shrunk on stem 88and then the hitch or socketmaybe welded to shaft portion 8l.

Supported by and spanning the space between vertical frame portions 65and 66 is an axle v-88 on which rotates a roller S. Supported by andspanningthe space between vertical frame portions -Gl and 68 is an axle'Si on which rotates a roller 92. Rollers'Sl and 52 are beneath,and bearagainst upper rail R1 also carried by the elevator platform, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3. Four stub `axles project upwardly `from the shuttle frameand carry rollers 93, 94,95 and Q6, which are adapted to roll on thesides of the head of rail R1 and thereby keep the Ashuttle on the track.The shuttle is also provided with pairs of Vhorns 97, 97a, and 98, 98a.The head of rail R1 is received between the horns of these pairs ofhorns, as best seen in Fig. 2. v

'The appropriate end of the shuttle frame is. provided with ears 99 andlii to which is secured connecting rod 56 that operates the shuttle Salong tracks R1 and R2. The attachment of rod 5,6 to the shuttle is by abolt IUI having an eccentric -portion |02 which passes through rod 5.6.By turning this bolt to different angular positions, the effectivelength of rod 56 may .be adjusted. y

Referring now particularly to the structure of the elevating chain andthe mechanism for connecting -it to the shuttle S, it may be pointedoutthat the structure provided is designed to equalize the load on allsides of the draft element or chain to the end that there will be notwisting of said chain but the load or force transmitted to it will bealong its normal longitudinal axis, thus obtaining maximum strengthofthe chain ordrait means.

Said chain C is formedof interconnected links comprising generallyalternating inner ,side .bars l0 and 4outside bars Il`inteldionn,ected.by chain pivot pins I2 preferably provided at oppositeends with removable cotter pins extending through. transverse boreholes; As best seen by reference seen by reference to Fig. of thedrawings may-be I3 is provided with bores 24 which communicateconsidered as a U-shaped chain linkl having spherical bearing surfacesto transmit force to'f the socket H in which it ts as hereinafter de?scribed more completely.

Said ball or spherical member I3 has a longitudinally extending grooveI4 which opens at one side of the ball I3 and adjacent to which openingthe side walls of the groove taper in planes which intersectsubstantially the center of the ball forming tapered surfaces I5 whichare provided primarily to aid in the assembly and disassembly of theball I3 relative to the socket H.

On the opposite side of the ball I3 from that where groove I4 isprovided, said ball is provided with a removable portion I6 (see Fig. 5)which is preferably attached to the main body of the ball I3 as bymachine screws I'I. The removable portion I6 is provided primarily toprovide a iiat surface on the main body of the ball I3 so that it can bereadily held in a machine for machining the various vparts thereof. Ifdesired, the removable portion IG may be made integral with the rest ofthe ball. Said removable portion I6 is preferably provided with a recessI8 which receives theV projecting portion of a set screw I9 to preventunauthorized displacement of the ball I3 from its socket H while at thesame time permitting relative movement between the ball i3 and its re- Iceiving socket H sufficient to equalize the forces on the opposite sideof the chain, as abo-ve described. As also clearly illustrated in Fig. 5of the drawings, the body of the ball I3 is provided with grease grooves23 leading to threaded grease bores 2| adapted to receive greasefittings, not shown, within recesses 22 formed in said ball 0r link I3.

By reference particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be seenthat the ball I3 acts as a link of the chain and takes the positionwhich would normally be occupied by a link formed by a pair of outerside bars I I since links formed by opposite pairs of inner side barsIII project into the groove I4 and are pivotally attached to the ball orattachment I3 by a pair of pivot pins I2 which extend through the spacedbores 23 formed in said ball I3. Viewed in a slightly different manner,it is evident that the ball I3 is a U-shaped link of the chain C inwhich there are spherical segments forming universal bearing surfaces onopposite ends. For example, if there is a force applied to the chain inan upward direction as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the upper halfeither side or forwardly or rearwardly, thus prviding a maximumefliciency of operation of the chain since the load at all times will beequally distributed between the side bars on the opposite sides thereof.

Referring again to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it mayv be pointed out thatthe ball or attachment andjvare at right angles to the pin receivingbores 23' andsaid bores 24 are adapted to receive hold- 'ing' pins by adriving t, which pins extend through or cooperate with the pivot pins I2received inthe bores 23 of the ball I3 to hold said pins I2 in place.

The structure of the socket H is clearly seen by'reference to Figs. 1,2, 6 and 7 of the drawings. Said socket H has a central cavity 25 whichis of generally spherical shape so as normally to receive the ball I3and providing therewith the opposite universal bearing surfaces abovementioned. In addition said socket H is open at one side and, as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, this opening forms asubstantially con-V tinuous side opening 26 with that provided in theball I3, which was previously described, when the two are in theirnormal assembled relation. The opening 26 provides for the readyinsertion ofthe ball I3, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of thedrawings, and after the ball and socket are in the position illustratedin said Fig. 6, the ball is rotated about its longitudinal axis which isconsidered the axis of the groove I4 until the opening in the ball I3and opening 26 in the socket H are in alignment as illustrated in Fig.1, after which the set screw I9 is inserted.

To provide ample clearance between the side bars II adjacent the socketH, portions 21 (see Fig. '7) are'milled off since the chain C inoperation will travel over a sprocket. It may be further pointed outthat the chain C is shown as provided with anti-friction rollers orspools 28, which arepreferably made of hardened steel and cooperate withthe sprocket teeth which drive the chain.

By reference particularly to Fig. 7 of the drawings it will be seen thatopposite sides of the socket H leading to the central cavity 25 areprovided with generally cylindrical grooves 29 (see also Figs. 2 and 3)through which grooves 29 the of the ball I3 will cooperate with theupper half of the socket H along their contacting bearing surfaces totransmit the lift force of the chain C to the platform by way of theshuttle S. It is also obvious that a force may be transmitted by thechain C in the opposite direction, in which 'case the lower half of theball as viewed in Fig. 2 will cooperate with the lower half of thesocket H through their cooperating universal bearing surfaces totransmit the force to the shuttle S. Oby

viously the forces may be transmitted in opposite 'f side bars I0 of thechain C extend into the interior of cavity 25 and into the groove I4 oithe ball I3. The'grooves 29 are, of course, in direct communication withthe opening 26 at one side of the socket H.-

To assemble the chain and associated apparatus, the chain is rst formedat least with a few links as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.After this the ball or link I3 is inserted into the socket H asillustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, only the ball I3 of the chainbeing here illustrated in the interest of clarity. After the ball I3 isinserted into the socket H, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the chainisfrotated until the parts are in the position bestillustrated in Fig. 1of the drawings, in which case the set screw I9 is inserted with its endprojecting into thegrecess I8 for holding the ball and socket jointtogether. As a matter of fact, the 'cooperating set screw I9 and recessI8, it will benoted, carry no normal load whatever and they merelyprevent relative rotation beyond the desired limitedv amount between theball I3 andiits receiving socket H because itis impossible toremove theball I3 from the socket H until after appreciablerotatlng movementbetween the two is provided so that they are `sul),

stantially in the position as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Inthis connection it is to be noted that the socket H is a one piecesocket and the ball I3 is essentially a one piece ball and in fact maybe made a one piece ball by forming the piece I6 integrally with therest of the ball, as above described, thus making for a very simple andstrong ball and socket connection and one in which forces may betransmitted between the ball I3 and the socket I-I along lines atopposite directions if reverse draft forces are applied to the chain C.In other words, the ball and socket connection is just as efficient andjust as strong when forces are transmitted in one direction as in theother and in each instance there is a universal bearing surface betweenthe ball I3 and the socket H equaling the forces on the two sides of thechain C and preventing the transmittal of any bending or twisting forcesto said chain C.

The shuttle S is constructed with suitable bearings, grease passages,grease fittings, etc. The various bearings for rollers, shaft, etc., arepreferably provided with bushings of bearing material, such as bushingsI I 4 (three shown) in Fig. 1. To avoid confusion, grease passages,grease grooves, and grease fittings have been eliminated from thedrawings.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and Iwish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what Inow desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A draft chain including links and a ball having bearing surfaces forcooperating with a receiving socket to transmit a load thereto, saidball forming a link of said chain, and a pair of spaced pivot pinsextending through said ball and pivotally connecting it as a link ofsaid chain.

2. A draft chain including links and a ball having bearing surfaces forcooperating with a receiving socket to transmit a load thereto, saidball forming a link of said chain and having spaced chain pivot pinreceiving holes therein, and spaced pivot pins connecting spaced pointsof said ball to cooperating links of said cha/in.

3. As an article of manufacture, a chain link formed as a generallyspherical member having outer bearing surfaces and a central slotextending therethrough opening on one side of said spherical member, andtwo pairs of spaced aligned chain pin receiving holes.

4. A chain comprising spaced side bars interconnected by chain pins, anattachment link in said chain formed generally spherical with outerbearing surfaces and a slot extending therethrough and opening on oneside thereof, chain side bars extending into opposite ends of said slot,and chain pins interconnecting said side bars and said attachment link.y

5. A chain comprising spaced side bars interconnected by chain pins, anattachment link in said chain formed generally spherical with outerbearing surfaces and a slot extending therethrough, chain side barsextending into opposite ends of said slot, and chain pinsinterconnecting said side bars and said attachment link.

6. A power transferring attachment including a socket having a generallyspherical interior bearing surface with universal bearing surfaces onopposite ends and open at one side, a generally spherical bearing memberopen at one side and adapted for insertion into the open side of saidsocket, said bearing` member when inserted havving its open sideadjacent the open side of said socket and providing universal bearingtherewith on opposite sides, and draft chain means connected with saidgenerally spherical member capable of applying forces theretoselectively in opposite directions which may be transmitted by saidmember to said socket over universal bearing surfaces which equalize theload on all sides of said draft means.

7. An article of manufacture comprising a chain link formed of generallyU-shape with universal bearing surfaces on opposite sides thereof andpairs of spaced pivot pin receiving bores adjacent opposite endsthereof.

8. An article of manufacture comprising a chain link formed of generallyU-shape with universal bearing surfaces on at least one side thereof andpairs of spaced pivot pin receiving bores adjacent opposite endsthereof.

9. A universal chain and socket coupling including a one piece sockethaving universal bearing surfaces for opposed lines of draft and a sideopening, and a generally spherical draft transmitting chain link havingcooperating bearing surfaces for opposite lines of draft and also a sideopening, said chain link and socket being engageable and disengageableby virtue of said side openings upon their relative rotation While eachis completely assembled, and cooperating chain links pivotally attachedto the aforementioned chain link.

l0. A universal chain and socket coupling including a socket havinguniversal bearing surfaces for opposed lines of draft and a sideopening, and a generally spherical draft transmitting chain link havingcooperating bearing surfaces for opposite lines of draft and also acentral slot with a side opening, said chain link and socket beingengageable and disengageable by virtue of said side openings upon their4relative rotation while each is completely assembled, and cooperatingchain links extending into opposite ends of said central slot andpivotally attached to said spherical chain link.

11. A universal chain and socket coupling including a one piece sockethaving universal bearing surfaces for opposed lines of draft and a sideopening, and a generally spherical draft transmitting chain link havingcooperating bearing surfaces for opposite lines of draft and also a sideopening, said chain link and socket being engageable and disengageableby virtue of said side openings upon their relative rotation while eachis completely assembled, said socket and spherical chain link being heldtogether by their mutual cooperation when they are positioned with theirside openings in substantial alignment, and additional chain linkspivotally at-.

tached to said spherical chain link.

12. A chain comprising spaced links interconnected by chain pins, anattachment link in said chain formed generally spherical with outerbearing surfaces and a slot extending therethrough, chain linksextending into opposite ends of said slot, and chain pinsinterconnecting said chain links and said attachment link.

ALEXIS W. LEMMON.

